Gov. Jack Dalrymple today hosted a meeting between officials from 13 energy producing states that have a major stake in new plans by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Dalrymple and the North Dakota Department of Health organized the Energy Producing States Summit to discuss the impact that the proposed EPA emission rules would have on jobs, consumers’ energy costs and the nation’s energy security.

“Any new rules on carbon dioxide emissions must be practical and based on technology that is commercially viable,” Dalrymple said. “North Dakota is one of only a handful of states that continues to meet the EPA’s air-quality standards and the state’s coal plants continue to make progress in reducing emissions.

Dalrymple said states with coal reserves should work together to support the responsible development of the energy resource and help shape a national policy that strikes a sensible balance between meeting the nation’s energy needs and protecting the environment. To meet the nation’s growing energy needs, all forms of energy should be developed, and coal is an important part of the mix, he said.

“A one-size-fits-all approach to emissions reduction is not the answer,” Dalrymple said. “Imposing unattainable standards would only serve to undermine the nation’s security and could lead to higher utility rates for customers and lost jobs.”

About 100 people from 22 states attended the summit’s opening meeting today, including EPA Region 8 Administrator Shaun McGrath, other EPA officials, health and environmental officials and energy industry representatives. The two-day Energy Producing States Summit is being held at the Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence.

The EPA has proposed standards that cap greenhouse gas emissions from newly built coal-fired power plants at 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour. The EPA plans to propose new emission standards for existing power plants by June, with rules potentially finalized by 2015.